WHO Member States Reject Proposal for Taiwan's WHA Participation; Ally Palau Speaks Up for Taiwan

(CNA, Geneva, 18th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) World Health Organization (WHO) member states today rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate in the annual World Health Assembly (WHA). Ally Palau stated that excluding Taiwan has no justification and could harm global epidemic prevention and information exchange. According to Reuters, the World Health Assembly opened today, and China and Pakistan spoke against the motion to invite Taiwan, with the assembly ultimately agreeing to exclude Taiwan. A Chinese representative told WHO member states: 'China does not agree to the participation of the Taiwan region of China in the World Health Assembly in any form.' Palau is one of several countries that supported the proposal for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly as an observer. Palau told the delegates that excluding Taiwan has no justification and could harm global disease surveillance and information exchange. The Palauan representative pointed out: 'There can be no gaps in global health governance, and excluding any capable and responsible partner, including Taiwan, creates precisely such a gap.' (Compiled by: Chen Cheng-chien)